♦ The uptick in arsons continues in Salisbury, N.C. with vehicles and homes targeted since last spring.

Salisbury Police sources report that officers were summoned to 810 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue on the report of an arson around 8:50 p.m. after neighbors spotted a man pouring gasoline on the porch of a white duplex and fired it up.

Neighbors witnessed a path of burning gasoline all the way from the driveway to the sidewalk. The fire was quickly extinguished with only slight burn damage to the porch area. Mr. Mark Childers, 54, home at the time, was alerted by neighbors who pounded on his door. No injuries were reported due to the fast response by neighbors.

The Salisbury Police are said to have a suspect in mind. No motive for the arson has yet been revealed.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.